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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - CCC Minutes 08/28/17MI NUTE S CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY COMMISSION Conference Room 135 City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue Monday, August 28, 2017 Call to Order In the absence of a designated chairperson, the meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by staff member Brian Phillips. Members present were Eric Abrams, Karin Chitty, Warren Madden, Pete Englin, Cody Smith, Tom Lindsley, and Evelyn Beavers. Robert Bingham was not present. Staff members Brian Phillips and Tasheik Kerr were also present. Welcome and Introductions The Commission members introduced themselves. They were provided with contact information for each other. Selection of a Commission Chair It was moved by Eric, seconded by Tom, to nominate Karin as the Commission Chai r. Motion carried unanimously. Public Forum No one was present for Public Forum. Review Commission Charge The Commission reviewed the charge outlined by the City Council. Review Roles of Chair, Commissioners, City Council, Staff Brian reviewed a document outlining the roles of the commissioners, the chair, the City Council, and City staff. Potential Issues to Investigate The Commission brainstormed ideas to consider pursuing. The list included:  Communicating construction and other disruptions to university community/others  University action for off-campus student conduct  Parking in Campustown  Welcoming/inclusiveness of Campustown/Main Street  Public gathering space in Campustown  Services/retail needs in Campustown  Rental housing occupancy  Rent Smart Ames Utilization  Connectability (transportation between areas of Ames), infrastructure quality  Retention of recent graduates  What should 100-block of Welch Avenue look like? Discussion ensued. Eric asked what role the Commission would have in parking Warren stated it might be worth gathering feedback from stakeholders. Pete felt that one role of the Commission could be to gather feedback and synthesize it for the City Council. The discussion turned to the topic of a public gathering space. Brian asked if the Commission could communicate with property owners and gather feedback. Pete expressed concerns about safety related to public gathering spaces. He suggested that would need to be considered. Karin stated there was a need for public space for special events, activities. Cody offered that the Commission could figure out what stakeholders want to see in the area. Regarding the tenant and renting issues, Cody expressed support for the Rent Smart Ames program. He indicated that Student Government was working on developing a “Student Friendly” badge that landlords could use to appeal to student renters. The Commission decided that it would address the following issues: 1. Parking in Campustown 2. Public Gathering Space in Campustown 3. Inclusive Community Principles (including education of tenants/landlords, welcoming/inclusiveness of Campustown/Downtown, Rent Smart Ames utilization, retention of recent graduates, and Connectibility between areas of Ames). The remaining issues will be in the “parking lot” for the Commission to consider again once there is capacity to do so. The Commission members will plan to attend the September 12th City Council meeting to present these issues to the City Council and gather feedback. Select Regular Meeting Day, Time, and Location The Commission chose to meet regularly on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. The next Monday will be September 25. Adjournment Cody moved the meeting be adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.